All parties represented in the National Assembly voted in favour of the historic Bill except for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
The EFF defended their position by tweeting from their official Twitter account on the 27 March 2018 that they rejected the Bill based on Section 10 which states that “ no person or entity may deliver a donation to a member of a political party other than for party political purposes.”
Janine Ogle, the National Coordinator for the civil society organisation, My Votes Counts says the reasons given by the EFF are “unclear” and “confusing.” Ogle said that they have on several occasions tried to engage the EFF on the Bill to resolve issues but have been unsuccessful.
The Bill would force political parties to declare their funders. Parties will also receive increased funding from the state. The Bill, however, caps the amount that individuals and entities can contribute to political parties to R15 million.
Parliament said in a statement on 27 March 2018 that the Bill would “improve transparency, accountability and fairness in political party funding.”
The DA supported the Bill but has warned that it does not adequately address the potential bribery of politicians and political parties.
ANC MP, Vincent Smith on the other hand said that the Bill is a positive development in the country’s history.
“The bill is about nation building and not the Rand taking superior of the will of the people. The will of the people wants to make sure that the narrow interests of those with big bank balances or who have access to big party bosses never rejects the will of the people or party supporters,” Smith added.
